Driving signal for automobiles



Jan. 24, 1928.

1,657,118 W. L. FOSTER DRIVING SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 14. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l- INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

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Jan. 24, 1928.

1,657,118 w. 1.. FOSTER DRIVING SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 14. 1926 2 S heets-Sheet 2 F5 5 my. 4

Patented Jan. 24,1928.

WALTER L. FOSTER, OF WI-IITTIER, CALIFORNIA.

DRIVING SIGNAL FOR AU'TQMOBILE$.

Application riled June 14, 1926. Serial No. 115,805.

[this invention relates to a device for sig nalling travel changes of a vehicle. It is the usual custom and a common legal requirementtor the driver of a vehicle to signal his intention to turn, slow down,,or stop. in some instances, the driver of a vehicle is so located that an instrumentality of some kind is necessary for signalling and in nearhave been employed in addition to manual signalling. v

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a mechanically actuated signal which may be initially set to indicate turning and is automatically released to neutral position by action of the driver intuliilling his intention oi turning. Another object of this invention is to provide a construction such that the signal is actuated by operation of the brake pedal to indicate a decrease in speed or a stoi. A further object of this invention is to provide a single semaphore arm for making all signals, and to so arrange the same that it may be illuminated at night. A still further object of this invention is to provide a signal of the character described which the operator after setting may release, it he so desires.

In addition to the broader objects of this invention, there are certain details of construction whereby a simple, compactdevicc easily installed upon vehicles without mutilation thereof is obtained,and one which lends itself to economical manufacture. These objects together with other objects and corre sponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the body of an automobile showing a fragment of the front end, my improved signal being shown thereon; ,Fig. 2 is a section transverse of the body, a fragment thereof being shown; Fig. 3 is a section through the semaphore arm housing showing the arm Fig. i is a section as seen on the line 4:& of Fig. 2; 5 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrows 5 5 of Fig. 2; l? 6 is a view in plan looking in the direction of the arrows 6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmental view of the steering column and the signal parts mounted thereon; Fig. 8 is a skeleton view similar to Fig. 6 showing the latch; and Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View of the steering wheel cam and iollower.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing, the body of the automobile is indicated by 8, it being provided with a cowl 9. Mounted upon the cowl is a windshield standard 10, and 11 indicates a dash-board. This constructionis shown merely for illustrative purposes and to indicate one type of mounting for the signal. in no Way limited to this particularcon struction and may be varied to suit the particular, body structure, as will be apparent. The automobile is equipped with a steering column 12 having a wheel 13 ot' the usual construction to provide a travel control mechanism. The device comprises a semaphore arm which may be swung intohorizontal position to indicate a turn of the vehicle about that side or the inside of the turn, upwardly at an angle to indicate a turn in the opposite direction and downwardly at an angle to indicate slowing down or stoppage. j i

Thesemaphore armis mounted within the housing at one of the windshield standards; inthis specific instance, on the left hand side. This provides a position such that the semaphore arm when projected will be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. A housing 14 for the arm is of channel form having a foot 15 at the lower end whereby it may besecured to the cowl. The foot is provided with an opening through which a bushing 16 is extended, the bushing being locked in position and holding the foot by means of a nut 17. The bore through the bushing provides for passage of an operating line which operates the signal. The upper end of the housing may be anchored to the standard by means of the brace 18. Pivotally mounted so that it may be disposed within the housing is a semaphore arm 19. Obviously, this arm may be of any form desired. In the present instance it is shown as an arrow, Whereas a hand would equally serve the purpose. Fixed to the arm 19 is a pintle 9.0,the pintle being journalled in the housing and having secured to one end thereof a crank arm 21. At the head of the signal arm is an aperture 22 and at the rear end of the aperture is a tunnel like shade 23. The small end of the shade is pro} vided with a lamp socket for receiving an electric lamp 2d. This lamp'when lit il laminates both sides of the arrow. For con- The invention is venience in distinguishing the front and rear of the arrow,the rear sideanay he colored red and the front side green. Lighting of the lamp illuminates both sides of the head of the semaphore and at nightWould he visible to persons in the front and the rear. The wire 25 is an electricconduct'or'for conveying energy to the lamp, the flowof energy may be controlled in any sultahle manner. w y

Crank arm 21 is provided with aneye n which is, secureda link, 26. Securedtothe link is an adjustable sleeve, :27 jto .xvhich 3 a cableQSanay. he attached. The sleeve pro- ,vides for lengthening and; shortening the line. between the. crank arm and actuating n ieans for the cable. CahleQS is secured "to the sieeyeand extends downwardly passing through the eye of a catchanemher 89. Tllhe in'ieinherfifi is secured to. the honsing 14L at.one.side hyuneansoi a lcaf spring lfl which tends to} hold the .n'ien heragainst the housing. a Securedto theinsijdeioi n' eniher 29 is a trigger 3llhest. shown in F 4. llhis trigger cxteml ithroug n openinewin the housing and r is arranged to engage and hold thesemaphore 5511 111 19 in closed position. The. cable ,28 is; directed in such. a inanner that aqnill thereon tending to sminggthe semaphore 211111 will pull the catch ineinher fifl away.fronuthehousing and the trigger 31 outgot engagement WVlhlllllllG semaphore arnl, thereby releasing the latter so thatgit n ay' he swung);outwardly. \Thetrigger 31 loclrsftlle semaphore arm in: neutral position and preferably against a; cushion strip 32.;tmprevent rattling. Anjdler pulley: o3 guidesthe cab1e28 along the housing.

. Asplit sleeve 34 serves as a mounting for clamping.a sector i'ra1ne35. to the steering column. Pivotally secured to the centerot the;sector;is anvoperatingmrm 36. .These partsare so disposed: that. the handle of' the arm proj ects from under the daslr boardull at. a point convenient forzthe driverofwthe vehicleto grasp: thesaine. catch 37 extends from the lowensideiofar1n36cand is arranged to engage in notches upon-oneside ofa latch bill 38 and a catch 37 is arranged to engage in a notch-on :i the other side. Latch 38 is pinotally inounted npon1a stem 39 whichserves as a mounting for pulleyjetO. The latch is. provided with notches 41 and 4-2 for. the catchJ3T;to be disposed therein and notchiell .liOl'lllG catolrE-BT". A. tension spring-11:3 securedvto the end of latch 38 and to the sector tendsto hold the latter in position such. that the: catch. 37 when moved along the latch will ride into a notch. Cable 28 has an eye 4A .1 thereon through which the cable loosely extends andian ahut- ]l'l(.llt,-?Wi1ill(-.1' 4115 secures the cable to thearin 36 so that when the arm is; swung inwardly, the oahlecwill-he moved llY l'GElSOIl otthe tension and i free to more in the; opposite direction. This provides a oneway connection. ll y swinging the latch her 38 inwardly against the action of spring l3, arm 36 will be released. The latch bar 38 is operated-from a-link connection 415. connection comprises a spring Wire connected to a slideiraine l7 guided in a way in a .collarfllSnhich is mounted upon the steer ing column. The frame 48 is provided with .ajlollowerarheeldi). The iollonier wheel is engaged irith an annularcain 5h mounted .upon.thesteering colunin just below the eteering wheel 13 having a low spot. 50 and l igh spots oll" and 5 andsecurcd to the "it-ten so as tolierotatahle therewith. To indicate ian ;i n ner,; or, in this specific; instance ..a;. lei"t;;han d turnpthe handle. 36 is, ras-pe anjd the-irln lSl'llOtifltlgFil) that its catch 3"? drops in; the first notch 'lil .ol the latch :38 anddoclss theyar n in vsuch position. 'l lfi !-;ell'lzl]3l1()1'8 arm "will then he "in theupoeition il'tdicaled.hyj in Fig. 3. laiitial turning elf-the .stcerin n hecl 13 ec. as: to .make. the turn: causes the wheelel-D toirideupcm: the iliiggh. part all? of the e-am. thereby pushing: the l'ollcm'er: downwardly .and. causing. the link it? 10 he moved downwardly exerting .a, push ,upon the latch hail-p38, and causing aniove nent oi thewlatter:inwardly ilfar enough to release thearln .36.hydisengaging latch lib fronucatch Il lIOWGVOI'ylJlIlS movement rill. otthe; latch is of suchrexteut asitocause notch .411 on thcropposite side oi? thcrlatch liar to engage catch 37" and hold the arm till co astorcl'ain the semaphore arm extended. "llhere lana -slight drop iinthc semaphore arm. iWhen the steering-wheel is returned to neutral or straight ahead position. the follower lfldrops into .spot 50 on thecalu and thespring lfionoves. the latch hanto disengage it ironrcatch .37". The weight oi the semaphore arm is sufiicient to cause the latter to drop and pull the cable and arm Elli. to the left or neutral position. To indicate an outer or right haml turn, the handle of arn'1'36 is graspedalnl the latter is swung to the rig-ht until catch ifl'i engagcs in notch T-his causes the eeinaphore arm to he pulled into the position B as shown in fl j' 3. As the steering wheel isturucd tlicdollower 4-!) ridesi'rorn the low part 50 to the high part 50 oi.the'canrand"causes the latch bar 38 to he moved so as to release the arn'r 3G. hut not enough for catch 3?" to engage notchi'l". This permits the sclnuphore arm to return to neutral position. li a signal hasheen given. and it is desired to change the same. the arm 36 is pulled up wardly, there lacing sufiicient resiliency in its connection to permit the catches 3T amt 37' on its under side to disengage from the latch bar 38. whereuymn tlltllisll'lll mute moved to the left andthe semaphore arm to neutral position. i

,. y y ,lhe semaphorearm is operated to indicate This;

till

a slowing down or stop, its position being that shown by C in Fig. 3. This is accomplished by a flexible element such as a chain 51 attached at the stop Washer 47 to the cable 28. The end at the chain may be secured to a bell crank lever 52 mounted on thesector and by means of a spring 53 to a lever Lever 5t pivotally mounted upon a clamp collar secured to the steering column. It is disposed to he engaged by the bralcc pedal 56 when the latter is depressed. ln slowing down or making a stop, the brake pedal is depressed so as to engage the lever arm 5% and swing the latter downwardly. This causes the bell crank lever 52 to be swung and the cable 28 to be moved through the pull or chain 51. The amount of movei'nent is limited so that the aphorc arm is swung into the position C indicating a stop. The spring 53 provides tor-operation of the brake pedal without moving the semaphore arm excepts. fixed distance. The chain 51 provides for the operation of the semaphore arm so as to indi- 11 cate right and left hand turns Without disturbing the stop actuating mechanism. Upon moving arm 36 to the right, there will be a slack in the chain 51.

It vvill be noted that the semaphore arm provides for all of the signals, and that the turn pos tions are operated and determined by movement of the arm 36. as soon as the wheel is swung toe'li ect the turning of tll'e vehicle, the semaphore arm is released. The stop actuating mechanism is controlled by the bralte pedal and is unetlected by the turning mechanism. While the semaphore arm in neutral position it is locked, and at night both sides of the semaphore arm are ill'un'iinated.

What I claim is:

l. in combination With a steerable vehicle, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a pluralityot travel changes; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling any one of said travel changes; means actuable by the steering mechanism to release said indicator upon the steering mechanism being operated to turn said vehicle; and means actuable incleii-endently of and simultaneously With said steering mechanism for operating said indicater to signal a stop.

In combination with a steerable vehicle having a steering Wheel, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plurality of travel changes; manually operable means to selectively set and maintain said indicator for gnalling any one of said travel changes; means actuable by turning of said 1g Wheel to release said indicator in- "1 annular cam fixed to turn with said steerin Wheel and a follower riding thereon; and means actuable independently of and simultaneously with said steering mechanism for operating said indicator to signal a stop.

3. In combination With a steerable vehicle having a steering Wheel, a device oi the class described comprising the COIlllJllltltlOll of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plurality of travel changes; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling any one of said travel changes ineluding an arm and a latch for said arm to locl: it in set position; means actuable by turning ol? said steering Wheel to operate said latch so as to release said indicator including an annular cam to turn with said steering Wheel and follower riding there on; and means actuable independently ol and simultaneously said steering mechanism for operating said indicator to signal a stop. at. in combination with a steerable vehicle having a steering wheel, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel Indicator for signalling a plu rality of travel changes; nninually operable means to selectively set said indicator .t'or signalling any one of said travel changes including a sWingable arm, a latchtherefor to engage and hold said arm in a selected position and movable to release the same; means actuable by turning of said steering wheel to operate said latch to release said arm; and means actuable independently of and simultaneously with said steering mechanism for operating said indicator to signal a stop.

5. in combination with a steerable vehicle having a steering Wheel, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plu rality of travel changes; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling one of said travel changes including a stationary sector, a swing-able arm on said sector, a latch bar for said arm extending lengthwise ol' the path of travel thereof for engaging and holding said arm in a selected position and being movably mounted on said sector to position thesame to release said arm, resilient means tending to hold said latch bar in arm engaging posi: tion; and means actuableby turning o'l said steering Wheel to release said indicator by moving said latch bar.

6. In combination with a steerable vehicle having a brake lever, a device of the class described comprising thccon'ibinatioii oi a visual travel indicator for signalling a plu rality of travel changes; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling any one of said travel changes including a 'swingable arm and an operating lineattached thereto by a one-Way connection; and means actuable independently of said steering mechanismtor operating said indicator to signal a stop including ailexible" n .ing lengthwise of the path ,ofqtravelofjsaid line connected to said operating line and operated by depression of said brake lever to place tension upon said flexible linei and nove said operatingline so asto position said indicatorinstop position.

Y. In combination witha steerable vehicle havinga brakelever, a device of the class described comprising a visual i travel indicator for signalling.aplurulity oi travel changes manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling any one of said changesincluding a swingablet arm and an operating line attached; thereto by a oneovayconnectron, a latch for said arm to lock it in set: position means actuable by the steering mechanism to -release said indicatorincluding means for swing- 113g: said latch anddnieans aetnable ndependently of and snnultaneously with sanlsteering mechanism, for operating said indicator to signals stop including a flexible line con nected to said operz'iting line and operated by depression of said bralceolever to, place tension in said flexible line and more said operating line so as to set said indicatorin stop position. v a

I 8. In con'ibinationwith a steerable vehicle having a brake operating lever, a device of the class descril'icd comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plurality of travel changes; manually operabletmeansrto seleetivelyset said indicator for signalling anyone of saidtravel changes including a stationary sector, a swingable arm mounted on said sector. a latch bar therefor extending lengthwise of the path of travel of said armdior engaging andholding said arm ina selected position and being movably mounted onsaid sector to release the same, and resilient means tending, to hold said latch in armrengaging position; a single operating line lor operating said indicator having a onenvay connection to said arm, means actnable by turning of said steering wheelto release said indicator by swinging saidlateh into arm disengaging position; and means actuable independently ofand simultaneously with said steering mechanism for operating-said in dicator to signal a stop including a flexible line connected to said operating line and operated bydepression o'tsaid brake lever to place tension in said flexible line and move said operating line so as toposition said indicator in stop condition.

9. In combination with a steerable vehicle having abrake lever andoa steering wheel, a device of the. class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a pluralityof travel changes including an operating line; manually operable means to selectively set said i indicator for signalling one ofsaid travel changes including a stationary sector, a swingable arm on said sector, a latch bar therefor extendarnr tor engagin mand holding thejlatter in a selected position and being movably mounted on said sector to'release saidiarin,

means; tending to-l1old said latch intarn'i engflglngpGElUOh, said arm being connected to saidcoperating line by a one way connection; means actuable by turning ct -ftlltl steering wheel to release said indicator-air eluding an annular cam fixed to turnwith said steering wheel and a follower riding thereon and connected to said latch; and means actuable independently of said steering mechanism for operating said indicator to signala stop including afleXible lineconnectedito said operating line andoperated by depressionot saidlbrakelever to place tension. thereon and move said linesso as to position said indicator in step condition.

10. The.combination with asteerablemvehicle having a brake operating lover, a do rice of the class described comprising a combination cl :1 visual traveliudicator tor signalling a; plurality of travel changes including a s-avingable semaphore aunt-and an operating line connected thereto; manually operable means to selectively set said iudicater for signalling one of said travel (-bang includingaswingablc arm, a latch for said arm to lock it inset position, there being a one vay connection between said arm and said operating line; Mmeans actuable by the steering mechanism to operate sat-id latch to release said arm upon the stcering mechanism liieing operatedto turn said vehicle; and means actuable independently of said steering mechanism for operating saidindicator to signal a stop including a flexible line connected to said o 'ieratiuglinc and operated by depression otlsaid brake lever-toplace tension tllel'GOlILfilKl more said lines so as to position said indicator instep condition.

11. In combination with a steerable vehicle having a brake leverand a steering whceL a device of the class described con'iprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signallinga plurality o'ftravel changes includinga swingable sen'iaphorc arm and an operating line connected thereto; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling one oi? said travel changes including a stationary sector a swing-able arin mounted on said sector, a latch bar for said arm extending lengthwise oi the path oi travel ()f-F-Ill-l arm for engaging "and holding thelatter in selected positioniand movable to release the same, resilient means tending to hold said latch-bar in arm engaging position, there being-a one -way connection between said operating line and said arm; means actnable by turning of; said steering wheel to release said indicator including an annular cam fixed to turn with said steering Ull Wheel and a follower riding thereon and connected to said latch bar; and means actuable independently of said steering mechanism for operating said indicator to signal a stop including a flexible line connected to said operating line and operated by depression of said brake lever to place tension thereon and move said lines so as to position said indicator in stop condition.

12. In combination with a steerable vehicle, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plurality of travel changes including a swingable semaphore arm, an operating line connected thereto, a lock for said arm when in neutral position and connected to said line so as to be operated upon said line being moved to swing said semaphore arm; manually operable means to selectively set said indicator for signalling one of said travel changes including an arm, a latch for said arm to lock it in set position; and means actuable by turning of said steering Wheel to operate said latch and release said arm.

13. In combination With a steerable vehicle having a steering wheel, a device of the class described comprising the combination of a visual travel indicator for signalling a plurality of travel changes including a swingable semaphore arm, an operating line connected thereto, a trigger for locking said arm in neutral position, spring means for holding said trigger in locking position, said operating line being rove through said trigger so that upon tension being placed upon said line, said trigger will be retracted from locking position; and manually open,

able means to selectively set said indicator by pulling upon said line.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3rd day of June, 1926.

WALTER L. FOSTER. 

